CN111273792A

CN111273792A - Touch sensitive input with customized virtual device regions

Info

Publication number: CN111273792A
Application number: CN201911226466.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伯特兰·乔恩; 莱顿·迈克
Original assignee: Cirque Corp
Current assignee: Cirque Corp
Priority date: 2018-12-05
Filing date: 2019-12-04
Publication date: 2020-06-12
Also published as: TWI773946B; TW202026841A; US20200183580A1

Abstract

A touch panel system and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The touch panel system includes a touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes; a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch pad; and a cover film positionable over the touch panel to indicate at least a location of the at least one virtual device region on the touch panel.

Description

Touch sensitive input with customized virtual device regions

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a touch panel device. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a user reconfigurable customizable touchpad device.

Background

Typically, a given input device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touchpad, etc.) is dedicated to a particular type of function. For example, keyboards are commonly used to enter text characters, mice are commonly used to position a cursor and select an item by clicking a button, and touchpads commonly allow a finger or stylus to position a cursor, to select an item by clicking on a selection, or to allow other gestures (sliding, pinching, etc.) to manipulate a display or the like. However, it is often inconvenient, expensive, impractical, etc. for a given host device to include multiple types of input devices. Furthermore, different applications running on a single processor-based host device (e.g., a laptop or desktop computer) may require different types of input and input devices.

Relatedly, in touch pad design, specifications or requirements of a desired touch pad device, including shape, size, and particular features such as buttons or scroll zones, are typically delivered to touch pad designers and/or manufacturers. The desired prototypes or drawings are then created by the designer/manufacturer so that the customer can evaluate the design and determine if changes need to be made. This process may be repeated several times back and forth between the designer and customer until the desired design is obtained.

The above process can be time consuming and inconvenient. An alternative is to use existing products and simply design a customer's device around them, even if they do not provide all the required features. However, this alternative is clearly less desirable.

Other systems and methods exist for providing a wide variety of overlays (overlays) for use on touch panels, each designed for a different application. However, this typically requires purchasing, storing and switching the overlay films when the application changes.

Other drawbacks, inconveniences, and problems exist with existing devices and methods.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments address the above-mentioned and other shortcomings, inconveniences, and problems of prior devices and methods. In one disclosed embodiment, a configurable touchpad system is provided, comprising: a touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes; and a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch pad.

In another disclosed embodiment, the system includes: a device selection module in communication with the configuration module and configuring a type of device for the at least one virtual device region on the touch pad. Another disclosed embodiment includes: a touch mode module in communication with the configuration module and configuring a sensing mode of at least one virtual device region on the touch panel.

Another disclosed embodiment includes: an overlay module in communication with the configuration module and configuring at least one virtual device region based at least in part on placement of the overlay on the touch pad. In yet another disclosed embodiment, the placement of the overlay on the touch pad is sensed by the touch pad.

Yet another disclosed embodiment comprises: a data format module in communication with the configuration module and communicating to the touch controller an appropriate data format corresponding to the type of device configured on the at least one virtual device region on the touch panel.

Another disclosed embodiment includes a display responsive to a sensed touch on a touch panel; and a overlay module in communication with the configuration module to illuminate a location of at least one virtual device region on the touch pad on the display. In yet another disclosed embodiment, the illuminating on the display further comprises displaying an image on the display.

Another disclosed embodiment includes a touch controller having at least one formatting module that formats sensed touch data from a plurality of electrodes. In another disclosed embodiment, at least one formatting module formats sensed touch data from the plurality of electrodes according to a device type configured by the configuration module.

Another disclosed embodiment includes a touch panel system having a touch panel with a plurality of electrodes; a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes; a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch pad; and a cover positionable over the touch pad to indicate a location of at least one virtual device region of the touch pad. In another disclosed embodiment, the overlay indicates the functionality of at least one virtual device region on the touchpad. In yet another disclosed embodiment, a cover film is releasably and repeatably affixed to the touch pad. In yet another disclosed embodiment, the overlay includes detectable regions detectable by the touchpad. In yet another disclosed embodiment, the detectable region may comprise a material such as: conductors, dielectrics, and ferromagnetic materials.

Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a touch panel system, the method comprising: providing a touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; providing a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes; providing a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch panel; and providing a cover positionable over the touch pad to indicate a location of the at least one virtual device region of the touch pad. Another disclosed embodiment includes: the overlay is used to indicate a function of at least one virtual device region of the touchpad. In yet another disclosed embodiment, a cover film is releasably and repeatably affixed to the touch pad. Another disclosed embodiment includes: the detectable area on the overlay film is detected using a touch pad.

There are also other advantages, conveniences and benefits of the disclosed systems and methods.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a capacitive touchpad system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a configurable capacitive sensing device, according to a disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a touch controller and associated virtual reporting data protocol for a configurable capacitive sensing device in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration module in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

Fig. 5A-5F are exemplary overlays that may be used in conjunction with a virtual device region according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric schematic view of an apparatus having a touch panel and a display in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a touch panel system having a configurable virtual device region in accordance with a disclosed embodiment.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

It should be understood that the use of the term "touch sensor" throughout this document may be used interchangeably with "capacitive touch sensor", "capacitive touch and proximity sensor", "touch and proximity sensor", "touch panel", "touchpad" and "touch screen".

It will also be understood that the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," "up," "down," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and the like as used herein may refer to the relative orientation or position of features in the disclosed devices and/or components shown in the drawings. For example, "upper" or "uppermost" may refer to a feature that is placed closer to the top of the page than another feature. However, these terms should be broadly interpreted to include devices and/or components having other orientations, such as the following: depending on the orientation, top/bottom, up/down, and left/right may be interchangeable upside down or tilted orientations.

The invention utilizes

Company touchpad technology. Therefore, it is useful to understand to some extent the operation of touchpad technology.

Company's touchpad technology is a mutual capacitance sensing device 100, and an example is shown in FIG. 1. For this device 100, a touch panel 10 having a grid of row electrodes 12 and column electrodes 14 is used to define a touch sensitive area of the touch panel 10. In general, the touch panel is configured as a rectangular grid having an appropriate number of electrodes (e.g., 8 × 6, 16 × 12, 9 × 15, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the mutual capacitance sensing device 100 also includes a touch controller 16. The touch controller 16 generally includes at least one of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Analog Front End (AFE) including an amplifier, a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC), another type of microprocessor, and/or combinations thereof, and may be implemented as an integrated circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a combination of logic gate circuits, other types of digital or analog electrical design components, or combinations thereof, using appropriate circuitry, hardware, firmware, and/or software selected according to the available operating modes.

Typically, touch controller 16 also includes at least one multiplexing circuit that alternates the use of row electrodes 12 or column electrodes 14 as drive electrodes or sense electrodes. The drive electrodes may be driven sequentially or randomly one at a time, or all drive electrodes may be driven simultaneously in a coded pattern. Other configurations are possible, such as a self-capacitance mode of driving and sensing the electrodes simultaneously. The electrodes may also be arranged in a non-rectangular array, such as a radial pattern, linear string, or the like. Other configurations are also possible.

Typically, no fixed reference point is used for the measurement. Touch controller 16 generates signals that are sent in various patterns directly to row electrodes 12 and column electrodes 14.

The touchpad 10 does not rely on absolute capacitance measurements to determine finger (or stylus, pointer, or other target) location on the surface of the touchpad 10. The touchpad 10 measures a charge imbalance of an electrode that serves as a sensing electrode (illustratively shown as row electrode 121 in fig. 1, but may be any of row electrode 12, column electrode 14, or other dedicated sensing electrode). When no target is indicated on or near the touchpad 10, the touch controller 16 is in a state of equilibrium and there is no signal on the sensing electrode (e.g., electrode 121). When an imbalance in the finger or other pointing object occurs due to capacitive coupling, a change in capacitance occurs across the plurality of

electrodes

12, 14 that make up the touchpad electrode grid. What is measured is the change in capacitance, not the absolute capacitance values of the

electrodes

12, 14.

It should also be understood that touchpad technology is just one technology that may be used with the present disclosure. Thus, the presently disclosed embodiments may be implemented for electromagnetic, inductive, pressure sensing, electrostatic, ultrasonic, optical, resistive film, semiconductor film, or other finger or stylus response technologies.

As mentioned above, it is often desirable to enable a user to reconfigure a touchpad. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a configurable capacitive sensing device 200 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. As shown, the touchpad 210 may be subdivided into multiple virtual device regions (e.g.,

virtual device regions

212, 214, 216, 218). The

virtual device regions

212, 214, 216, 218 may be configured to operate as various Human Interface Devices (HIDs), non-HIDs, and the like. For example, the virtual device region 212 may be configured to function as a knob, or other radial or rotational motion device, such as a volume knob for increasing (or decreasing) the audible volume level of another system (e.g., a speaker) when "turned" (i.e., by operating in a relative or rotational mode to sense clockwise or counterclockwise motion of a finger or other pointing object). In another example, the virtual device region 214 may be configured to function as a button, such as an enter key on a keyboard.

In other examples, the virtual device region 216 may be configured to function as an absolute mode touchpad (e.g., to enable signature or other drawing functionality), and the virtual device region 218 may be configured to function as a relative mode touchpad (e.g., to sense swipes, scrolling, pointing controls, and other gestures). Other modes (e.g., absolute, relative, rotational, polar, etc.), configurations, functions, and types of virtual device regions are also possible, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

As also shown in FIG. 2, among other things, the touch pad 210 communicates with the touch controller 16 to control operation of electrodes (not shown in FIG. 2) to sense various types of touches as described herein. In addition, the touch controller 16 communicates with a configuration module 220 that enables configuration of the various virtual device regions (e.g., 212, 214, 216, 218) disclosed herein. In addition, the touch controller 16 and the configuration module 220 may also communicate with various other systems 222, which other systems 222 may differ depending on the host environment in which the touch pad 210 is installed (e.g., laptop, point-of-sale terminal, vehicle, virtual or augmented reality device, gaming system, etc.). Although shown schematically as separate components, configuration module 220 and at least a portion of other systems 222 in touch controller 16, or other networked or distributed configurations, may also be included.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of touch controller 16 for a configurable capacitive sensing device 200 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. As shown in this example, the touchpad 210 is configured as a plurality of

virtual device regions

212, 214, 216, 218. In this example, the virtual device region 212 may be configured as a turning knob that reports relative mode data (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise motion), the virtual device region 214 may be configured as a numeric keypad that reports data corresponding to a "key" that has been pressed, the virtual device region 216 may be configured as a scroll bar that reports absolute mode data (e.g., an XY position of a touch or slide), and the virtual device region 218 may be configured as a touchpad region that reports absolute mode data (e.g., an XY position of a sensed touch). Other types and combinations of data reporting are also possible.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, the touchpad 210 senses and reports data corresponding to changes in capacitance of the constituent electrodes (e.g., 12, 14) as sensed as described above in connection with fig. 1. The sensed touch data is communicated to the touch controller 16 as schematically shown by the arrows in fig. 3. As also shown schematically, the touch controller includes a plurality of formatting modules 30 that format sensed touch data according to a format of the configured virtual device type (e.g., using configuration module 220). For example, when the virtual device region 212 is configured to turn a knob, sensed data that is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, as well as the number of turns (e.g., full turns, 1/2 turns, 2 full turns, 3/4 turns, etc.) is passed to the knob formatter 302, which the knob formatter 302 formats the sensed data according to the type or set of data that the host 34 (e.g., a laptop computer in this example) desires to turn the knob to produce. This formatted data is then reported, packaged and sent to the host 34 over the physical communication link 32 (typically USB or I2C), and interpreted by the host 34 so that the host 34 can communicate an appropriate response (e.g., increase/decrease speaker volume corresponding to the direction and magnitude of the rotation).

Also, in this example, the virtual device region 216 is configured as a scroll bar, and the sensed data of touch positions (or swipes) is passed to the scroll formatter 304 and formatted to report scroll positions (and/or durations, directions, etc.), which are then packaged and reported to the host 34 and responded accordingly (e.g., the display moves according to scrolling). Similarly, the virtual device region 218 is configured as a touchpad, and sensed data of touch position (or tap, double-tap, swipe or other gesture) is communicated to the touchpad formatter 306 and formatted at the formatter 306, and reported and packaged for communication with the host 34 for appropriate response (e.g., moving a cursor, clicking a button, etc.). As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, in some embodiments, when the virtual device region is configured as a touchpad (e.g., region 218 of fig. 3), the sensed data may not require an additional format beyond the ordinary touchpad data report because the ordinary touchpad data report is the very report that is expected to be sent from the touchpad device to the host 34. Also in this example, the virtual device region 214 is configured as a keypad, and the sensed data corresponding to the touched key is passed to the keypad formatter 30n and formatted to a data format corresponding to the appropriate key, which is then packaged into a data packet and passed to the host 34 for appropriate response (e.g., displaying the number pressed, dialing a phone call, etc.).

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, and as shown schematically in fig. 3, any number of formatting modules 30 may be included in touch controller 16. Further, when shown as separate modules, a single formatting module 30 may handle data formatting for any number of virtual device regions, and other types of virtual devices, data formats, etc. may also be used, and formatting module 30 may include software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration module 220 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. As shown, a plurality of sub-modules comprising software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof may be included within configuration module 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the configuration module may include a user input module 2202 to enable a user to input selections of the configuration touchpad 210, and the like; a device selection module 2204 that enables configuration of virtual device regions (e.g., 212, 214) as knobs, buttons, scroll bars, and the like; a touch mode module 2206 that enables configuration of virtual device regions (e.g., 216, 218) as absolute mode, relative mode, rotational mode, or other mode touchpads; a lamination module 2208 that configures a virtual device region in conjunction with a lamination as described below with reference to fig. 5 and 6; a data format module 2210 that transmits the type and format of data corresponding to the selected device to the touch controller 16; other modules 2212 enable other operations of the configuration module 220. As discussed above in connection with fig. 3, the virtual device regions (212, 214, 216, 218) are assigned appropriate usages and value ranges for their reported quantities, which are communicated to the host 34 in the form of report descriptors. The sensed data is then formatted by the formatting module 30 according to the report descriptor so that the host 34 can correctly interpret the input. For example, in a Microsoft Windows-based host 34, if an area is configured for stylus writing, the area will appear as a digitizer device with a collection of styli that reports the coordinates of the stylus tip and input from other controls typically located on the actual stylus. Ordinary touchpad functionality will render the area as a digitizer device with a collection of touchpads to report the X-Y coordinates of one or more fingers and other data related to touch input.

Fig. 5A-5F are exemplary overlays that may be used in conjunction with a virtual device region according to the present disclosure. As disclosed herein, embodiments of the overlay can include decals, labels, stickers, etc. placed on the touch panel (e.g., touch panel 210) to help locate the virtual device region, give an indication of the functionality of the virtual device region, configure the virtual device region, etc. For example, fig. 5A illustrates a circular overlay film 40 that may be used in conjunction with a knob-type virtual device region, as disclosed above in the virtual device region 212.

Embodiments of the overlay film may include conductive, dielectric, magnetic, or other detectable regions 41 detectable by a touch panel 220 (e.g., touch panel 210 in communication with touch controller 16) and configured by configuration module 220. The configuration may be generated automatically (i.e., without user input), by prompted user input, and the like.

Embodiments of the cover film may be adhered to the touch panel surface using permanent, semi-permanent, or reusable adhesives. Other embodiments may use vinyl or other plastic materials that adhere by static electricity or the like. Other embodiments of the overlay film may include magnetic or ferromagnetic materials that adhere by magnetic attraction. Other attachment systems may also be used, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

As shown in fig. 5A to 5F, the overlay film may be designed for various virtual device area purposes. For example, fig. 5B illustrates a numeric keypad overlay 42 that overlays a virtual device area configured for use as a calculator, PIN entry point, telephone dial, etc., virtual device area 214 as described above in connection with fig. 3. Likewise, fig. 5C shows an orientation cross-over film 43 device area covering a virtual device area configured to serve as an orientation game controller or the like. FIG. 5D shows another embodiment of a cover film that includes game controller buttons 44 (e.g., X-Y-A-B buttons on some game controllers) where the button portions include detectable regions 41 (e.g., they are conductive, dielectric, magnetic, etc.). Fig. 5E illustrates the overlay 45 overlaying a virtual device region configured to function as a touchpad, signature block, or the like (e.g., the virtual device region 218 of fig. 3 described above). FIG. 5F shows the scrollbar overlay 46 overlaying a virtual device area configured for scrolling more rightward when the touch accelerates further rightward, and more leftward when the touch accelerates further leftward (e.g., the virtual device area 216 of FIG. 3 described above). Other coatings may also be used, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric schematic view of an apparatus 50 having a touch pad 210 and a display 52 in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. For example, the apparatus 50 may include a tablet, smartphone, or the like having a touchpad 210 operating in front of, above, below, or integrated into the display screen 52 or the like. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, a virtual device region (e.g., region 212) may be indicated on the display 52 by the illumination region 54 or the like. Likewise, an image 56 may appear on the display 52 to indicate the presence of a virtual device area, or a contour 58 may be displayed to indicate where the overlay (e.g., the scroll bar overlay 46) should be adhered. Other display items may also be used as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 of manufacturing a touch panel system having a configurable virtual device region in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. As shown, method 600 includes providing a touch panel (e.g., 210) including a plurality of electrodes (e.g., 12, 14) in 602. At 604, a touch controller (e.g., 16) in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes is provided. In 606, a configuration module (e.g., 220) is provided that communicates with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region (e.g., 212, 214, 216, 218) on the touchpad.

Optionally, an embodiment of the method may comprise: providing a overlay (e.g., 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) positionable over the touchpad to indicate a location of at least one virtual device region on the touchpad at 608; and indicating a function of at least one virtual device region on the touch pad using the overlay in 610. Likewise, embodiments of the method may optionally include detecting a detectable area on the overlay film using a touch pad at 612. Persons of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that other methods of manufacture and operation are possible.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that while various embodiments have been shown and described, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and will be understood to include all such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A configurable touchpad system comprising:

a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes;

a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes; and

a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch pad.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a device selection module in communication with the configuration module and configuring a type of device for the at least one virtual device region on the touchpad.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a touch mode module in communication with the configuration module and configuring a sensing mode of the at least one virtual device region on the touch panel.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an overlay module in communication with the configuration module and configuring the at least one virtual device region based at least in part on placement of the overlay on the touchpad.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein placement of the overlay on the touch pad is sensed by the touch pad.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data format module in communication with the configuration module and transmitting to the touch controller an appropriate data format to be corresponding to a type of device configured on the at least one virtual appliance region on the touch panel.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display responsive to a sensed touch on the touch panel; and

a overlay module in communication with the configuration module to illuminate a location of the at least one virtual device region on the touch panel on the display.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the illumination on the display further comprises displaying an image on the display.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the touch controller further comprises at least one formatting module that formats sensed touch data from the plurality of electrodes.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one formatting module formats sensed touch data from the plurality of electrodes according to a device type configured by the configuration module.

11. A touch panel system comprising:

a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes;

a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes;

a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch pad; and

a cover positionable over the touch pad to indicate a location of the at least one virtual device region of the touch pad.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the overlay indicates a function of the at least one virtual device region on the touchpad.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the overlay film is releasably and repeatably affixed to the touch pad.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the overlay further comprises a detectable region detectable by the touchpad.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the detectable region further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: conductors, dielectrics, and ferromagnetic materials.

16. A method of manufacturing a touch panel system, comprising:

providing a touch panel comprising a plurality of electrodes;

providing a touch controller in operable communication with the plurality of electrodes;

providing a configuration module in communication with the touch controller to configure at least one virtual device region on the touch panel; and

providing a cover positionable over the touch pad to indicate a location of the at least one virtual device region of the touch pad.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

indicating a function of at least one virtual device region of the touchpad using the overlay.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the overlay film is releasably and repeatably affixed to the touch pad.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detecting a detectable area on the overlay film using the touch pad.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the detectable region further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: conductors, dielectrics, and ferromagnetic materials.